1987 kx500 engine - can not start

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kyser777
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1987 kx500 engine - can not start

Post by kyser777 » Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:27 am

HI

I tried to fire a 1987 engine kx500., can not! :oops:

when I tried to rev the engine with the kick, no spark however
when I rev the engine with a driller connected to the flywheel with some speed, sparks come out .

so it sounds impossible to make any sparks with my foot.
I put a new plug and new carb already jetted well for an other 2000 kx500

no fire at all!

what does it mean ??

by the way can I change the flywheel , stator , coil with a later model system?

I am ready to order parts, but I would like to make sure they will fit

thanks

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Sandblaster
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Re: 1987 kx500 engine - can not start

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Mar 23, 2018 3:03 pm

As KX500's age this will be a greater and great issue.
Before you buy any parts, the first thing you need is a ohm meter.
You can get one at your local hardware or home improvement for under 20 dollars.

Image

Then read this article:

http://www.oem-cycle.com/forum/viewtopi ... 112&t=1280

Test one piece at a time and this will tell you where your problem is.

You can swap out a newer year of KX500 electrical parts but you need to swap all the parts.
Or, you can buy a Power Dynamo system that replaces everything.
Alex Ward sells them.
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.

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60something
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Location: Midwest USA

Re: 1987 kx500 engine - can not start

Post by 60something » Sat Mar 24, 2018 1:00 am

Just to be clear regarding what you said about having to swap ALL the parts when using newer parts on an '87, you are saying that a newer CDI module alone cannot be swapped in? I was looking at possible spare parts for my '87 and wondered if that would be possible. :?:
I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

2006 Kawasaki KDX200 qty-2
1987 Kawasaki KX500
1991 Honda CB750 Nighthawk
1973 Kawasaki H2 750 Triple - gone but not forgotten

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Sandblaster
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Re: 1987 kx500 engine - can not start

Post by Sandblaster » Sat Mar 24, 2018 2:59 pm

Take a look here:

http://www.oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX500BIKEID.shtml

Scroll way to the right...
Look up the coil, cdi, flywheel, and stator and check out the interchange info on all the parts.

I believe only the coil can be used across all the KX500 years.
I put this chart together a long time ago so I can't quite remember all the details :lol:
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.

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60something
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Re: 1987 kx500 engine - can not start

Post by 60something » Sat Mar 24, 2018 4:59 pm

Thanks Sandblaster. That was one of the first things I discovered on this site...really useful!! I was just thinking that some of those things are not quite directly interchangeable, but maybe a bolt hole may be different or wiring change etc... I have discovered a couple things at least that technically shouldn't interchange, but do (such as radiator louvers or screens). This is not at all to disparage your excellent interchange list!! When I get done with my bike, I'd like to post some pics showing some of those things to help some other poor soul who unwittingly adopted an '87. :lol:
I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

2006 Kawasaki KDX200 qty-2
1987 Kawasaki KX500
1991 Honda CB750 Nighthawk
1973 Kawasaki H2 750 Triple - gone but not forgotten

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Sandblaster
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Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:50 pm
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Re: 1987 kx500 engine - can not start

Post by Sandblaster » Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:47 am

Oh yeah... If there is a color change there is a different part number.
I have some of that info on that chart.
If you have specific info that is not called out, let me know and I will update the chart.
Be careful on the electrical because I know that on the stators they had 2 coil systems a single coil systems.
Also the cdi's have different timing as well as different wire counts :shock:
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.

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